January 2025 Reading Recap
Happy end‐of‐January, everyone! It’s time for my favorite monthly ritual: the reading wrap‐up. This month, I finished 7 books—all fiction—and clocked in at 1,239 pages (plus about 23.4 hours of audiobook listening). My average rating landed at a very respectable 3.68, and I definitely leaned hard into the mystery/thriller vibes in January. Below are my quick thoughts on each title I completed!
1. The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
Rating: 3.5★
I went into this one expecting a suspenseful book, similar to his previous book that I loved (Hidden Pictures) —and that’s (mostly) what I got. It follows the lead up to and then a wedding weekend. The wedding is to take place between Frank’s daughter and the very wealthy son of his daugher’s big boss. That takes an ominous turn when people die during the weeding weekend. I loved the eerie atmosphere , but a few plot twists didn’t quite land for me and the ending was a big meh. Still, a solid and entertaining read overall.
2. The Cure for What Ales You by Ellie Alexander
Rating: 3.25★
Ellie Alexander always delivers a cozy mystery with plenty of charm, and this addition to her craft‐beer‐themed series is no exception. I enjoyed the little details about brewing and the small‐town setting. The mystery itself felt a tad forced and a little confusing, but it’s perfect if you want something lighthearted, fun, and on theme for craft beer lovers.
3. Look Closer by David Ellis
Rating: 4.25★ (Highest Rated!)
This was my favorite book of the month. It’s a thriller that starts off with what seems like a marital drama, then quickly spirals into a twisty puzzle where no one’s telling the truth. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough; every time I thought I had it figured out, Ellis threw in another curveball. If you like psychological suspense with plenty of “aha!” moments, this one is a must. I listened to this one and think the audio book was the right way to go.
4. One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman
Rating: 4.0★
I loved this cozy mystery. It had a cast of a cast of snarky characters centered around a movie star theme. I laughed out loud more than once, and the mystery subplot gave it a fun edge.
5. The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand
Rating: 3.5★
I’ll admit I hit a slow patch in the middle and almost DNFed this one. But I’m glad I saw it through, because Elin Hilderbrand captures Nantucket settings and relationship drama better than just about anyone. It wasn’t my absolute favorite from Hilderbrand, but I ended up enjoying it more than I expected once I finally pushed through.
6. Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
Rating: 4.0★
A beach getaway, a suspicious death, and Laura Lippman at the helm—what’s not to love? This brisk whodunit plays with classic murder‐on‐holiday tropes in a really fun way. Lippman’s writing is sharp, and the tension gradually builds until everything explodes in the final chapters. Definitely a highlight of my month.
7. A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall
Rating: 3.25★
The story follows girl who does not know her true past as she ends up in a secluded mansion/resort of her fiancé’s family for Christmas…family secrets start to come out and people die. While it’s a page‐turner and has a nice slow‐burn tension, I found parts of the mystery a little underdeveloped. Still, a good chill‐inducing read for a cold night. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fastastic job.
Month in Review
- Books finished: 7
- Pages read: 1,239
- Hours listened: 23.4
- Average rating: 3.68
- Highest‐rated book: Look Closer by David Ellis (4.25★)
Overall, January was all about the mysteries and thrillers for me. My big takeaway: I, non-surprisingly, gravitated toward cozy vibes (plus one or two that almost didn’t make it across the finish line!).